I ran out of time today to get everything done that I intended to at work. There just weren’t enough hours – and that was with working through my lunch.
When my regular quitting time came and started to slide past, I stopped and took stock. I could keep working off the clock until I met some artificial deadlines, or I could go home.
So, I took a deep breath and went home. The work will be there for me tomorrow and I’ll be alert, fresh, and more efficient.
It wasn’t easy – I like getting things done and don’t like things unfinished – but it was necessary.
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One of my stops this evening was at the bookstore. I found a book that I wanted, then steeled myself and went up to the counter.
Do I have a membership card? No.
Had I heard about them? Yes.
Did I want to sign up for one? No.
Was I sure? The deals were really excellent and verbose. No thank you.
Would I like to have “Free” magazines shipped to my house? No thank you.
Gauntlet surpassed, I decided I needed a cookie. Not wanted, NEEDED. And it had damn well better have chocolate chips.
I made my way to the coffee shop, ordered a cookie, and went to pay for it.
Did I have a membership card? No.
Would I like to sign up for one? FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, NO!
A plague on your house and your membership card!
A thousand curses!
NEVER!
Or, rather, no thank you.
It’s not their fault. I get that. But I just want a damn book and a damn cookie without being interrogated.
And, yes, I protest too much.
But, as much as I like bookstores, I can do without this one. And when I turn my back on a retail establishment, it stays turned.
I’m looking at you Chik-Fil-a and Hobby Lobby. Goodbye, Books a Million.
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On the trip back, I noticed again the signs on the highway that proclaimed:
“Drive Sober or Get pulled over”
and then a note about traffic fatalities for the year and a percentage increase from last year.
So, am I meant to obey because I might get arrested or that I might die? Granted, neither are a good option – but I wonder who this is intended for?
Those that don’t drink are not the audience. It wouldn’t occur to them to suddenly start and then immediately take to Ohio’s roads.
Those that do would either ignore the signs or would responsibly get someone to drive them anyway.
Would anyone see a sign like that and actually be influenced by a catchy phrase or an abstract number? Seems odd – but, then, I’m frequently surprised at the things that influence humans.
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Finally, I heard back from the photographer who is taking pictures of peoples’ backs for an art project. And I’m signed up! Next Tuesday after work I’m headed to the studio for some photos. Should be fun to actually be a part of some art.
And the 15 minutes of fame starts…